Child of Sam Walton (d. 1992), who began retail career 1940 making $75 a month as a clerk for J.C. Penney. Opened Ben Franklin 5-and-dime store in Newport, Ark. 5 years later; lost lease 1950. With brother James L., opened new chain of general stores in Bentonville, Ark. 1962. Took Wal-Mart public 1970, now world's largest retailer, with 6,500 stores in 15 countries; 1.8 million employees serve 176 million customers a week. Sales: $315 billion. Company claims to save average American household $2,300 a year. But stock down 10% since beginning of 2005; Wall Street unimpressed by earnings. Family controls 40% of Wal-Mart. Jim: oversees family banking business. Mother, Helen, No. 11 on our list.

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